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Background: Yeast-like fungi of the genus Malassezia are one of the most important factors of pathogenesis of seborrhoeic dermatitis (SD). The typical features of the damaged epidermo-dermal barrier integrity characterized these disease, might be associated with fungal colonization. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of Malassezia fungi colonization in patients with SD in comparison to healthy volunteers. The values of skin surface pH value, sebum excretion, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and stratum corneum hydration in patients with SD were compared with healthy population and the relationship between investigated microorganisms colonization and the changes in the measured skin biophysical parameters was assessed. Material and methods: 43 patients with SD and 44 healthy volunteers were included into the study. Malassezia fungi were isolated from the T-zone of the face. Species identification was performed using its morphological features and physicochemical proprieties. The instrumental measurement of skin surface pH, sebum excretion, TEWL and hydration were performed using Skin-pH-MeterR PH 905, SebumeterR SM 815, TewameterR TM 300 and CorneometerR CM 825. Results: The study demonstrated significant higher face skin colonization rates of Malassezia fungi in the group of patients with SD in comparison to the controls. The predominant two fungi species were M. globosa and M. sympodialis in both analyzed groups. The considerably higher sebum excretion and TEWL values and the statistically lower stratum corneum hydration were observed in SD in comparison to healthy volunteers. Conclusion: Demonstrated differences of the biophysical skin properties values, between patients with SD in comparison to healthy population, might be associated with the significantly higher isolation frequency of Malassezia fungi in course of these disease. On the other hand, lack of direct relationship between fungal colonization and the values of the measured skin parameters confirms multifactorial etiology of these disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The lipophilic yeast-like fungi of genus Malassezia have been known to be a part of physiologic microflora of human skin, however they can be a pathogenetic agent of various dermatological diseases. The aim of the study was to evaluate the distribution of Malassezia species in the skin of patients with seborrhoeic dermatitis, pityriasis versicolor, acne vularis and healthy controls. Material and methods: The investigation comprised of 133 persons - 102 patients with seborrhoeic dermatitis, pityriasis versicolor and acne vulgaris and 31 healthy controls, in which a mycological examination was performed in order to isolate Malassezia fungi from the skin. These species were identified by their morphological features and biochemical properties. Results: Frequency of isolation of Malassezia spp. strains on modified Dixon agar was as follows: 82.2% in patients with seborrhoeic dermatitis, 88.3% in patients with pityriasis versicolor, 80.2% in patients with acne vulgaris and 62.1% in healthy controls. In each group the most often isolated species were M. globosa and M. sympodiaus. In the study, taking into consideration the same body locations, positive Malassezia cultures were obtained statistically more often in each group of patients in comparison to healthy controls. Conclusions: 1. M. globosa and M. sympodialis are the most frequently isolated Malassezia species, obtained in cultures from the skin of patients with seborrhoeic dermatitis, pityriasis versicolor and acne vulgaris. 2. Differences in isolation frequency of Malassezia fungi in examined groups may give the evidence of more frequent colonization of the skin of patients with analyzed dermatological disorders in comparison to healthy controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]